Oddities of life

I've set myself up for this one. April 6, 2007 I started my LDS Quotes blog, with a few goals in mind:

1. Have a repository of my favorites quotes from LDS talks, general conference, etc.

2. When I ran out of posting my favorite quotes, it'd mean I'd have to keep reading conference talks, BYU speeches, etc., which means I'd be learning more, etc.

3. Hopefully other people found them useful for talks, lessons, personal use, etc.

The two months before conference, I averaged between 100-120 hits per week. After conference, I'm averaging 10-60 hits per week.

By now you should be asking why I care or why I'd spend my free time looking each week (or perhaps you didn't make it this far). I've been wondering whether to keep it as a blog or not. I guess it doesn't hurt, just takes time to add one daily, formatting, links, etc.

Shocking events

Lisa and I were watching the new Transformers movie at home when at 11:30pm Saturday, a huge boom was heard and a blinding flash. The power tripped, the tv started to smell like smoke, and we are now out a big screen and a cable modem, both which were on surge suppressors :( State Farm is working on our claim right now, but the hardest part was not having the internet Sunday. I never realized how nice it is to check the forecast, email, blogs, and let Sydney play games on pbskids.org. The good news is we're all safe (the kids slept through it all), and after our deductible, a new tv should be coming in a week (once we figure out how much we're getting reimbursed).

Changes, changes, changes

There were several great things that happened in the past little while that I thought of during hero week, but was spending my 'blogging time' on hero week. Anyway, here are a few highlights:

Twins sleeping through the night. I'm not sure when this changed - I'm still waiting for brain cells to return, but it seems like it's been two weeks. It's so great to put them to bed at 8:30/9 and get up around 6:30/7.

More work hours, no sleeping in. It's been a big change not to sleep from when the twins were getting up (6:30/7), to about 8:30, and then working later. Now, I'm starting work between 6:30 and 7, and being finished around 3. What about the extra time, you ask? Some days it's overtime, some days it watching the kids while Lisa goes to the gym, scrapbooking class, store, etc. The only issue was last night I was so exhausted I went to bed before two of the three kids :) It's the first time that's happened in quite some time. The next item might also explain why I'm up late and need to go to bed earlier on occasion, although the weather's been quite bad for viewing lately.

My new telescope. About two weeks ago, I bought a new Orion XT10 Intelliscope with the object locater. It's so sweet! Sydney, whenever she comes downstairs to tell me about dinner, etc. says "that a HUUUUUGE telescope, daddy!" It's such a sweet scope. The finder scope is more powerful than the binoculars I was going to get to help find objects, and the tube itself is 4 feet long! The scope is 55 lbs, but it's easy to take off the OTA and carry separately, then reattach (two screws) once you've reached your destination. It's amazing how much more light this gathers than my 5", but the 5" is still fun to do planetary viewing and have the motorized GOTO. I'm excited to get a very inexpensive camera and just take simple solar system photos. Here's the difference between the two (650mm vs. 1200mm):

Hero Week: Part VII: Lisa

Lisa. Bean. Evil Bean. So many thing describe my hero it's hard to pick and choose. It's like asking you what your favorite movie, song, and thing to eat, and just describe it in a few paragraphs. Bean is my hero. She brings such stability to our family. She's the one who works the hardest and asks for the least. She takes hard things in stride, and tries to make the best of me. I was trying to find a picture of just Lisa in our archive of pictures, but almost all of them include me, Sydney, or the twins (or a mix). She's always taking care of someone or something.

When we were first married, I was struggling with self-esteem (I'm not sure why - I was married to Lisa!). She was patient and kind, but didn't just sit back and let me drift. I remember the day we sat on the edge of the bed discussing things I liked and things I could do that would make me happy for a longer period of time. We started working out at the gym together, going on walks, and slowly, but surely, she made me see the good in me. It still amazes me the transition of our marriage. She is so smart, funny, and really hot. It reminds me of the Monk episode where he's talking about why his late wife married him. Speaking to his wife (invisible, like a memory) "Thank you for marrying me. What were you thinking?" I'm still not sure what she was thinking :)

Bean is the ideal mom. She's patient with the kids, always encouraging them in the smallest things. She has removed herself and put her family in the forefront. It's always fun to see Tanner bouncing on Lisa's knees playing "pop goes the weasel", or find her and Sydney chatting away while they clean the bathrooms. Bean works miracles, like many moms, taking care of the kids, making excellent meals, cleaning the house, etc. When we were first married, I took pictures of all the dinners I liked. The problem was, I was taking pictures every night...so I stopped. She's so supportive of my goals and aspirations, and loves to spend quality time with the family. She's the best wife and mom. No one would be luckier than to have a mom that lived their life for their children like she does.

Thanks Bean - love you!

Hero Week: Part VI: My Parents

Wayne and Eileen Moore. After becoming a father of three, I can't begin to imagine being parents of seven. It's been quite interesting to realize just what torture I must have been to my parents, as I learn daily the blessings and struggles of having children. The good news is that my children show the struggles within me, not that they're any real troublemakers. Sadly, I don't think that applied to me as a kid. My parents showed their true colors by working on graying hairs instead of pulling it out. Just like my earlier entry about Paul and Mo, they are examples of what we all wish we had the character, integrity, discipline, and drive to be like.

I can't imagine having six eagle scouts as sons. I can't imagine sending so many sons on missions, help with homework, teaching to fish, providing for, feeding, keeping reverent in church, etc. You'd think at one point they'd realize they had no time for themselves, and take a step back. But I am as impressed today as I ever have been, giving up times with grandchildren, comfort (that's an understatement serving a mission in Uganda), and many other luxuries most grandparents I'm sure take for granted. I'm so excited to have them return in just over a month from their third mission.

For their love for me, for the Lord, for the countless times they've made the best impression on me, for their diligence in what they must have wondered about me been a toss up whether I would turn out alright or not, and for their constant vigilance in doing what's right.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hero Week: Part V: Dan/Jeff/Pete

Dan Aird. Jeff Eschler. Peter Tew. It's a funny feeling when you take people for granted for so long, and never realize what they have done for you. But I guess when you're as selfish as I was (and to a great extent still now), it was easy to overlook how much other people do for you. For me, these three great guys have always been my friends, from the day I met them.

I'm amazed sometimes how willing friends are to put up with a sulking, low self-esteem person who seems to focus on nothing but themselves. If nothing else, this should their highest praise. The three amigos (what they called themselves), were the best friends I could ever have asked for. All the rides to school, keeping me in the loop, and cheering me up in rough times. It doesn't just take a community to raise a child, it takes fierce friends who won't let go. We've had some really fun times since high school, getting together for great dinner and activities. I'm so grateful we still keep in touch.

Hopefully one day I'll be able to do as much in return.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hero Week: Part IV: Justin McMurray

Justin McMurray. This guy is golden. After returning home from my mission and moving into an apartment, I was incredible blessed to find a funny, cool, yet crazy guy in the young adult ward. He was integral in keeping my workaholic nature under control, and to help me just get out and play. There were many rough mornings (after a long Saturday work day) where Justin would come over to make sure I was coherent enough to get ready for church. He was such a great example of what I wanted to be. Never forcing, always encouraging.

We spent countless hours talking "geek", playing "Chicken Invaders", and other stuff. Hiking to waterfall canyon in Ogden, hot chocolate and caroling, to single adult activities. I was never left to wonder his perspective on the gospel, friendship, or integrity. I wish I had started writing in a journal, or at least had my blog back then, as we had so many great times, that just writing this entry has sparked more memories. He has always been a great friend - a one man support structure.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hero Week: Part III: Henry B. Eyring

Henry B. Eyring. Growing up in the same ward as President Eyring, I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary around him. He was kind and friendly, but I never really interacted with him. It all started when I was interested in my dad's audio tape collection of church talks. As a young boy of ten, I asked my father which talks he would recommend, and he let me take a few upstairs to listen to. I remember distinctly, sitting at my desk in the southwest corner of the upstairs. I had taken out paper to take notes, realizing I was making my Heavenly Father happy in learning about his gospel through his servants. When I picked up the pen after starting the audio tape, the pen went back on the table, and all I could do was listen in awe of hearing what I wanted to become.

That's when everything changed. When I heard other General Authorities speak, I felt the truthfulness of their words, but I never connected with anyone like President Eyring. It was a talk given at BYU called "Come Unto Christ". The talk starts out this way:

You have moments when you want to be better than you have ever been. Those feelings may be triggered by seeing a person or a family living in a way that lifts your heart with a yearning to live that way, too. The longing to be better may come from reading the words of a book or even from hearing a few bars of music. For me, it has come in all those ways, and more.

I had never listened to anyone who could convey the feelings of my heart. I had grown up in a family with parents I felt were perfect, and wanted to have the same drive, the same ability to sacrifice self and give more than I had. As the talk continued, I could feel the same desire he had, when his voice slightly cracked, from love and remembrance of how he felt when reading the same. From the tenth chapter of Moroni:

O, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. [Moroni 10:32­-33]

That urge to rise above yourself is a recognition of your need for the Atonement to work in your life, and your need to be sure that it is working. After all you can do, after all your effort, you need confidence that the Atonement is working for you and on you.

I knew that day that I would ever be linked to this talk. Despite my failures and shortcomings, even to the obsession of perfectionism, I knew if I kept trying, the Lord would make changes in me. President Eyring then listed goals, not directly for us, but as a witness of how someone knew they were doing what was right.

This talk brought me to listen to more talks, whatever I could get my hands on, to listen how he obviously had accomplished the goals I was just starting. I learned to love the process of asking "how can I know" and "how will I feel". I thank him for always being willing to share how we can become like Christ, not just learn about Him.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hero Week: Part II: Paul and Mo

Paul and Mo. I'll never met a couple like Paul and Mo. Things that are hard, things that are complicated, are made to look easy. I remember the first time I met Paul and Mo, Lisa's parents, over five years ago. Mo was kind and fun, with a very warm and welcoming personality. Paul, with his quick wit and fun humor, quickly became someone I respected for his abilities to make rough times seem easy, because "[enter your issue] is nothing compared to [something horrible], so we can handle it", followed by a chuckle. Paul and Mo make doing the right thing (and rightly so) fun and exciting. I saw so much of Lisa in both of her parents, that I knew it was going to be a great relationship.

From the wedding plans to Sunday dinners, the early years of being married to Lisa went very smooth, as Paul and Mo were always there, not just to be helpful, but to be involved in the fun and work involving our young family. I remember the days them helping us move through our year of apartment-hopping trying to get away from the smoke smell at Carrington to the cruise around Mexico. It's great to be around such examples of the hard working and service-oriented people they are, as it just exudes confidence in their capabilities and your own hopes to be like them. Paul's knowledge of the scriptures and humble attitude complimented by Mo's amazing capability to take on and handle gracefully much more than I could ever imagine. Paul has frequently come over to help teach me how to do electrical/lighting, help with software development, etc.

But hero week is not just about great people helping out. Sydney's favorite two people (outside Lisa and I, and even then, sometimes) are "gramma and papa". I can't count the number of times they've taken Sydney to the park or the pool, on a walk, to get ice cream, to treat her as such an integral part of their lives. Now, with the recent addition of the twins, they just love taking one of the kids and giving them one-on-one special time. They have taken us into their home (literally), from recent weeks of Lisa's ACL surgery, to helping with the twins, Sydney for sleepovers, the list just goes on. Every time I feel we've pushed too far, that we've asked too much (or they just call and ask if they can come take her for the day), they step up and ask what more they can do to help.

It's not as though Paul (in the Stake Presidency and owner of Ruben Engineering) and Mo (Young Women's president), aren't very busy people. The phone is frequently ringing of people they've offered to help, or those who know they'll do anything they can, from neighbors and ward members...just anyone. They've blessed our home and family immensely. What examples!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hero Week: Part I: Frank and Jenny

I am notorious for thinking about how grateful am I for people and the things they do, a ways after they've been so helpful. You would imagine that after so many people have done so many things, I would become more grateful and more service-oriented myself. So today starts the beginning of Hero Week: the week where each day I'll pick people who have made a momentous change in my life and the lives of my family. My fear for having to leave people who have done a lot out is overwhelmed by my gratitude for the extent to which these individuals have gone further. Without further adu:

Frank and Jenny. Frank is my third oldest brother and self-proclaimed most handsome, strongest, etc. brother. There are several things I distinctly remember from my childhood, in between times I've lost a lot of my memories due to "rough times" and trying to forget, that I'm grateful to Frank for. Frank loves basketball, and loved to play more back when the knees weren't such a pain, literally. I remember several times when I was < 10, I would spend hours each day shooting hoops in front of our house. When Frank's friends would come over to play ball, or go over to the church and play, he frequently would invite me (not just let me) play. I thought it was because I was so good. The things you learn later in life.

When Frank came home from his mission to have work done on his knee(and return shortly thereafter), we stsyed in the same room for about a month. I remember it wasn't a painful thing for him (staying in the same room, not knee surgery). He'd have me push hard on his leg, and tease me about how hard I *wasn't* pushing, and spending time with me a lot.

When he was married and was living in Cedar City, and I was having self-esteem issues, Frank and Jenny invited me down for a week during summer break. I remember crying on their couch, with them patiently listening to what I was struggling with, and trying to help. I remember a few walks at night around Cedar City where we'd talk about anything on my mind, and how great I felt having such great friends.

When I lived with Frank and Jenny while mom and dad were on their mission, I remember many times of stuffed pork chops, watching Toy Story 2 so many times with James and Ben, going out to Jenny's parents for dinner on Sundays.

Since I've been married, Frank and Jenny have always brought meals when we needed help (baby births, Lisa's knee surgery, etc). I remember spending a night automating my sprinkling system, putting the big swing together, and many other times where Frank would bring the kids to help Jenny have a break and to teach the kids about service and helping others. After the twins were born, Jenny brought all four kids out to help us around the house, bring lunch, and play Wii, while Jenny and the boys took turns holding the kids.

This is a relationship I never want to lose. Calls to just chat, see how things are going, discuss the slow demise of the Atlanta Braves, just whatever.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

No RSS today

Obviously I have no sense of time, as it's 12:42AM, and I just finished doing a collage I didn't need to. If you view this over RSS, open up my main page and you'll see it up top. 7 Moore has a new image!

Candidate match game

In my RSS feeds, I include the politics/election content from USA Today and the Washington Post. Today, as part of the USA Today content, there is a "Candidate Match Game", where you answer 11 questions from Iraq to health care, and see who you match best with. Oddly enough, my top three are:

1. Mitt Romney (follow his blog - my choice)

2. Duncan Hunter (who?)

3. Mike Huckabee

Click here to play